The southern migration continues...now in Jacksonville in our home state!! November 6-17

We left Beaufort as planned on Sunday morning Nov 6. As we reported in the last post it was going to be a little tight.  It was a bit of a "three point turn" to clear the catamaran that was on the wall. And the bow thruster was certainly appreciated for this maneuver.  But we made it out just fine and were joined by many boats heading out of the channel early in the morning (including a brand new Fleming....what a beauty!).  And an inbound ship too!

So our trip "outside" to the Masonboro inlet was pretty much as planned.  Maybe a bit rougher than expected, but a nice ride.  As we left it was so nice to see MANY AIS targets.  While it was expensive to replace the old AIS (should have done it myself) it does work great.  Targets as far as 30 miles now show up and we don't intermittently transmit...we transmit regularly now!  A live shot of Marine Traffic showing we are visible now!

We overheard VHF transmissions on the ICW from time to time.  Glad we were outside with all the "thanks for the large wake sport fish" and "watch the shallows here" type transmissions.  It is so nice to just set a way point and let the boat find its way there!  (with an appropriate look out of course).
We entered Masonboro Inlet and proceeded to Southport. What a cute town! It warrants another visit next year. Here are some shots of our walks around town and dinner one night.

A couple shots from inside the bar area of the Fishy Fishy Café where we ate.

 What a cool house overlooking the river.

We stayed two nights and again went outside again on Tuesday, from Cape Fear and then re entering the ICW at Winyah Bay inlet near Georgetown SC.  We heard one Coast Guard transmission warning of live firing exercises outside of Oak Island so we were glad to be moving away and staying 5 nautical miles outside the zone!  And a couple ships were coming in so we had lots of company out there!

It was a little rougher with five foot swells and 2-3 foot wind waves but we did fine as it was mostly on the stern and not too "opposing"...meaning swells and wind waves were at least not at near 180 degree angles. 

We were about 20 miles offshore for a good part of the way. Another good 100 mile day!

We proceeded to the S Santee anchorage at MM 420.  A very nice spot.  Sunset photos.

And here is the sunrise!!

It was nice to have a generator to heat the boat in the morning as it was a little cool....in the low 40's!!  A nice spot too watch the election results come in!  We do like our satellite TV.

Our target on Wednesday was the S Edisto River anchorage (AKA Alligator Creek or Raccoon Island anchorage) just off the ICW at MM 509.  We left at first light.

What a beautiful spot to spend the evening.  No gator sightings...I think it is too cold for them now!   We need to keep moving south!
On Thursday we set our sites on MM 606.5, the Queen Bess anchorage.  A few seagulls followed us along the way...and dolphins were in our bow wake....the video just does not do it justice.  The sea gulls seem to follow the churned up waters in our wake to fish.  Or maybe they think we are a fishing trawler and are looking for hand outs!!

It had a 5 foot MLW "hump" on the way in but our travels in and out were at near high tide ( 7 foot tides here) so no issue.  As we entered 5+ dolphins were feeding in the area.  And just after we anchored the tide shifted and the current raged out of the creek, a good test for the anchor set.  Fortunately we are usually anchoring in mud and the anchor resets with no issue.  In fact it is usually pretty tough to break loose in the morning with it burrowed so deep in the mud.  A really nice spot!  We must say that the SC and GA salt marshes are excellent anchorages in this reasonably temperate time of year...when we came through in June it was just too hot to enjoy it!

There are definitely lots of boats still washed well aground in various locations.  A testament to just how powerful Matthew really was.  Hilton Head was definitely some of the worst. Look how far ashore this one is!

Note the damage to the barrier around the bridge.

We left on Friday bound for the Jekyll Island marina.  Not too far into the trip we got a "Lost DSM Connection" message and the depth sounder quit.  Tried restarting the Raymarine but no go.  So we headed toward Mud River, a known shallow spot and as luck would have it, it was low tide as we transited the area.  We passed one sailboat just before the area and he asked us if we could let him know the depths we were seeing....but I had to tell him we had an inoperable depth sounder!  We went much slower and only bumped bottom once.  And it was near an area not previously posted as shallow so we hailed the sailboats behind us to warn them and posted a hazard report on Active Captain to warn others.  Chart showing depth...or lack thereof.

We arrived at Jekyll Island marina around 3 PM, washed the salt from the ocean off the boat and streamed some video over their solid wifi system to relax.  Saturday morning I tore into the dash to check connections on the depth sounder module.  One seemed a little loose as I could tighten it a bit.  I was performing all the investigation with the power off.  When I switched the power on it was working!!  You have to love it when the fix is so easy!  A couple photos from our walk on Saturday.

Sunday we left bound for the anchorage at Cumberland Island that we used on the way north in August.  There was still a pretty good NE blow and St Andrews Sound was extremely "confused" as the tide was outgoing and waves incoming.  We cranked it up and plowed through the waves at about 15 MPH to smooth things out a bit.  This few miles was actually worse than the ocean travels!  The plan was to launch the dinghy and walk the island a bit.  Unfortunately the docks were still closed to the public due to hurricane damage so we stayed aboard Sum Escape and relaxed.  Our neighbor when we left...what a classic! 

We would have also like to visit Fernandina Beach again but the marina there is completely closed until further notice.  This was one of our favorite spots on the way north and we wanted to spend a few days there so we were definitely disappointed.  Lots of damage was evident as we passed. The entire transient face dock is empty....this is where we stayed in June.  Huge signs posting the marina as closed.

Here is a tug looking to get a boat off ground due to the Super moon induced extremely high tide.

Travelling through Jacksonville on way to Ortega Landing Marina.

This pleasure craft could not make it under the 50 some foot bridge!

We were fortunate to get into Ortega Landing Marina as we were on the wait list and a spot freed up for the two weeks we want to be here. It is about 25 miles upstream on the St John from the ICW but well worth the trip in our opinion.   A very nice marina....Bellingham floating docks, free laundry, a nice pool/hot tub, a large clubhouse, grills, patio furniture, super friendly and helpful staff and only three blocks from a nice Publix.  We can see why there is a waiting list!  Here is our view from the deck outside the clubhouse.  We enjoy the sunset here each evening.

A nice clubhouse.

And an overview of the clubhouse and pool.

The super moon!

On Tuesday we took a walk to the Avondale neighborhood.  What a nice shopping and restaurant district.  And wonderful homes to view on the walk too.  Stopped at an Italian restaurant and picked up lunch to bring back to the boat.  The cannoli was really good!

Wed and Thursday we did boat chores....changed the oil on both engines and generator, went to get fuel, took down the torn bimini (small tear from Matthew) to be repaired, cleaned upholstery on flying bridge, did laundry, cleaned the inside of the boat and began to organize to go visiting for Thanksgiving.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another glorious day so maybe we will relax after our walk and enjoy a little time at the pool.  It will be our first pool day since August in the Chesapeake! 
Doing "yoga" installing the oil filter.  Yes I'm back there...and the engine room is plenty warm!

We also spoke to one of our Looper friends and learned they were selling their house in Ohio and had bought a home in Southport!  They also remarked how much more busy they were with activities and chores on the boat than at home.  We agree.  It does seem there is always something to fix or clean!  We will definitely have to stop to see you in Southport  Jim and Kathy!!

Our friends Dave and Sue from Holland have a condo in Jacksonville Beach and are going to stop by to visit this weekend.   Another great opportunity to see friends from Michigan!  Hopefully the weather will be as great as it has been all week.

We have now travelled over 6000 miles since leaving Michigan in August 2015.  Hard to believe!
We are so looking forward to seeing family and friends during our planned short Thanksgiving trip to Michigan!!   See some of you soon!!  More in a week or 10 days.....thanks for following.

On the move again! Hello from Beaufort, NC. Atlantic Ocean is next. Nov 3-5

So as promised, we are posting to let you know we are on the migratory path south again!  Leaving New Bern, first light.

So the part (hose) did come in from Singapore on Wednesday morning.  Crazy...it shipped on Monday and arrived Wed morning!  And no freight charge as Onan recognized they had no part in the US.   Old hose...it needed replacing!

Installed the hose in the afternoon and hosted a quick sunset cocktail party for Carey and Nancy (Tug Lee Loo) and Dick and Pat (Dream Catcher) to bid them farewell for a few months at least.  We will miss all of you!
Earlier in the week, we attended Linda's birthday party for the second year in a row!  Last year we were at Aqua Harbor at the headwaters of the Tenn Tom.  Here is the group at Morgan's Tavern this year.

Thanks to Pat for baking the cake!
We also helped Carey and Nancy ready Tug Lee Loo for a few months stay while they travel to visit family.  Cleaning the bottom of the dinghy.

We cast off lines to make the 7:30 AM opening of the Cunningham Bridge out of New Bern and travelled 44 miles to Beaufort.  (BO fort, not BEW fort as in SC)

Sunset in Beaufort.

As we moved into Beaufort, the waters again became very clear and the dolphins were again playing in the bow wave.  Sorry, no photos.
So here we are enjoying the free draft (well maybe not so free but cold and good) and the view of a just delivered Fleming...beautiful.

A nice slip.

Then we had a catamaran arrive this evening to sort of make a challenge for our early departure.  It will be a little tight.

Stayed three nights waiting for a good wave forecast to go outside to the Masonboro Inlet and into the ICW to Southport.
It looks reasonable for tomorrow with 2 foot seas and a 8 second swell interval.  Plus it should be on our port quarter so somewhat following.  We are prepared to burn some fuel and go for it if we need to smooth it out.  Others here are leaving on 26 to 50 hour ocean trips as far south as St Augustine.  We just have a few 100 mile day trips planned.  Here is tomorrow's planned journey.

You should be able to see us on Marine Traffic or Vessel Finder on the internet if you are interested in following our progress. 
More in a week or so....thanks for following.

October statistics:
Miles travelled:  Month: 395 / Trip to Date: 5507
Travel days:   7 / 115
Engine hours: 44 / 632
Locks:   1/38
Bridges opened:   6 /35
Days on hook or free wall:   4 /44
Gallons of diesel:  298  / 4190

Still in New Bern. Parts, parts,parts...a delay in travel. Oct 20-28

OK, another change in plans.  We will be here a while.....Need an air intake hose for genset.  1.25" ID, very flexible to curve through the sound shield and into a cooler compartment, heat rated to about 225 degrees.  Onan part is listed on many websites but none in stock anywhere.  Hose available at many industrial supply houses in 25 or 50 foot lengths....pricey and 2-3 weeks out.  And we only need 36".  Also went to many businesses in New Bern, auto supply, marine, home improvement, hardware, farm supply, etc. and no one has a hose rated above about 160 degrees in that size.  Thank you Dick aboard Dream Catcher for the hours of running around town trying to find this!  So continuing to work with local Onan house on an order from Singapore. Ordered on Friday the 21st and still no firm ship date from Singapore.  Supposedly, Monday 10/31, we'll see.  Driving me crazy....never had such a problem with what seems to be a standard part!  Oh well, New Bern is nice and the monthly slip rate is reasonable. Something down the line in our "rigid plan" will have to "give" now...we will not have time to explore the St John River before we fly to Michigan for Thanksgiving... and if we do it after Thanksgiving, our time across the state in Sarasota, etc will have to be cut short.  We will not cut into our Bahamas time in late Jan to early April!!  So , decisions, decisions....
On Sunday October 23, we had more family visitors.  Julie's brother Craig and sister in law Erin drove over from the Raleigh Duram area where they were visiting their son, daughter in law and grandson.  We had a great visit with them, toured the city a bit, hit a local restaurant and enjoyed the sunset from the fly bridge.  Monday morning they were kind enough to shuttle us to the grocery store and back before they headed back to Michigan.  Thanks so much for coming over to visit Erin and Craig!!

We continued to tour the area on daily walks.  Here are a few photos of the cool old homes.

 Courthouse built in 1883.

The once local Catholic church...now Mass on Friday only and church is miles away from downtown. And it is the oldest Catholic Church in North Carolina.

 Well kept old homes.

Note the metal roofs.  In December 1922, a large lumber yard caught fire and it spread to hundreds of homes with shingled roofs while the steel roofed structures survived.  Over 1/3 of the town, 40 blocks of it, were destroyed and consequently, to this day many homes in New Bern have metal roofs. 





Here is a real old one....very nice

 

 Cedar Grove (cica 1800) cemetery entrance.

On Saturday night we were again guests at Ralph and Linda's home for a lasagna dinner cooked by Pat from Dream Catcher.  It was a great evening...thanks so much Pat and Dick for the ride and cooking and to Linda and Ralph for the hospitality.
Wednesday we walked 2 miles each way over to Walgreens and got our annual flu shots.  A nice walk and another mission accomplished.  We also met Dick and Pat (Dream Catcher) and Ralph (Mazel Tug) for a burger at the Beer Army in town.  Good burgers and a great beer selection.  And it is always nice to enjoy a meal with friends.
Thursday, we did some varnishing and other odds and ends maintenance.  We are finding that a maintenance coat of clear varnish is needed every 3 months or so in this constant sunshine.  I guess that is a small price to pay for endless summer!  Our mission is to keep up on it as we certainly don't want to get into the position of having to strip it like we did the first storage season we owned her.  Way too much work!  Much easier to spend a day or two every three months sanding and varnishing.  And it does look nice with a fresh coat of varnish!

Early voting has started and here is the "drive through" voting line in New Bern. 

And note all the political signs and activity within 25 yards of so of the poll...different rules here I guess.  And yes, our Florida vote by mail is done...



On Saturday we walked to the farmer's market and got some wonderful fresh produce...and a cinnamon roll and coffee for me! 
We also called Courtney to wish him a Happy Birthday....had to call a couple times to catch him on his between phone calls, his baking of a pineapple upside down cake and visitors.  Happy 89th Birthday Courtney!!
In the afternoon we were cooling down on the aft cockpit after a walk and were watching a stunt plane practice over the Neuse river.  We did not see it, but later he spiraled out of control, ejected via parachute (he is OK) and the plane crashed into the river near here.  The neighbors on the next boat said he practiced often here.  Just thankful no one was hurt, he was not even admitted to the hospital.
http://www.wcti12.com/news/plane-crashes-into-neuse-river-in-new-bern/135501381
We will post another update once we are on our way.  While all bridges are now open on the ICW, given the reports of shallows in the ICW after the impacts from Matthew at a number of places south of here, we are hoping for good weather and will go "outside" if the waves will allow a reasonably comfortable ride.  This will also allow us to travel at a bit faster pace (as many areas are now no wake due to the high water) and perhaps drop a couple travel days out of our commute south.  More later...
Have a Happy Halloween!